The Waverley novels, by Sir Walter Scott, complete in 12 vol., printed from the latest English ed., embracing the author's last corrections, prefaces & notes.

THE ANTIQUARY. 249
to the housekeeper to-morrow," said Miss Wardour, "and we will see what
can be of service to her."
"God bless your leddyship," said poor Robert, "and his honour Sir
Arthur, and the young laird, and the house of Knockwinnock in a' its
branches, far and near i - it's been a kind and gude house to the puir this
mony hundred years."
" There" —said the Antiquary to Sir Arthur- " we won't dispute —but
there you see the gratitude of the poor people naturally turns to the civil
virtues of your family. You don't hear them talk of Redhand, or Hell-inHIarness. For me, I must say, Odi accipitremn qui semnper vivit in ariis —
so let us eat and drink in peace, and be joyful, Sir Knight."
A table was quickly covered in the parlour, where the party sat joyously
down to some refreshment. At the request of Oldbuck, Edie Ochiltree was
permitted to sit by the sideboard in a great leathern chair, which was
placed in some measure behind a screen.
"I accede to this the more readily," said Sir Arthur, "because I remember in my father's days that chair was occupied by Ailshie Gourlay, who,
for aught I know, was the last privileged fool, or jester, maintained by any
family of distinction in Scotland."
" Aweel, Sir Arthur," replied the beggar, who never hesitated an instant
between his friend and his jest, "mony a wise man sits in a fule's seat,
and mony a fule in a wise man's, especially in families o' distinction."
Miss Wardour, fearing the effect of this speech (however worthy of
Ailshie Gourlay, or any other privileged jester) upon the nerves of her
father, hastened to inquire whether ale and beef should not be distributed
to the servants and people whom the news had assembled around the
Castle.
"Surely, my love," said her father; "when was it ever otherwise in our
families when a siege had been raised?"
" Ay, a siege laid by Saunders Sweepclean the bailiff, and raised by Edie
Ochiltree the gaberlunzie, par nobile fratrum," said Oldbuck, " and well
pitted against each other in respectability. But never mind, Sir Arthurthese are such sieges and such reliefs as our time of day admits of- and
our escape is not less worth commemorating in a glass of this excellent
wine-Upon my credit, it is Burgundy, I think."
"Were there anything better in the cellar," said Miss Wardour, "it
would be all too little to regale you after your friendly exertions."
"Say you so?" said the Antiquary: "why, then, a cup of thanks to you,
my fair enemy, andt soon may you be besieged as ladies love best to be, and
sign terms of capitulation in the chapel of Saint Winnox!"
Miss Wardour blushed-Hector coloured, and then grew pale.
Sir Arthur answered, "My daughter is much obliged to you, Monkbarns; but unless you'll- accept of her yourself, I really do not know
where a poor knight's daughter is to seek for an alliance in these mercenary
times."
"Me, mean ye, Sir Arthur? No, not I; I will claim the privilege of the
duello, and, as being unable to encounter my fair enemy myself, I will
appear by my champion-But of this matter hereafter. What do you find
in the papers there, Hector, that you hold your head down over them as if
your nose were bleeding?"
" Nothing particular, sir; but only that, as my arm is now almost quite
well, I think I shall relieve you of my company in a day or two, and go
to Edinburgh. I see Major Neville is arrived there. I should like to see
him."
" Major whom?" said his uncle.
"'Major Neville, sir," answered the young soldier.
"And who the devil is Major Neville?" demanded the Antiquary.
" O, Mr. Oldbuck," said Sir Arthur, "you must remember his name fre